How do you use "Why...? / Why not...?" in a sentence?

Why did you do that? Why not try again? Why don't we have lunch? I'm leaving.' 'Why?

Why...? / Why not...?

Q: What does "Why...? / Why not...?" mean?

Asking for reasons 'Why' asks for reasons: 'Why are you late?' 'Why not' can ask for reasons ('Why not go?') or make suggestions ('Why don't we go?'). 'Because' answers 'why' questions.

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Practica con tarjetas, cuestionarios y audio en WordLoci →

Significado: Asking for reasons

询问原因

Preguntar por razones

理由を尋ねる

이유를 묻기

'Why' asks for reasons: 'Why are you late?' 'Why not' can ask for reasons ('Why not go?') or make suggestions ('Why don't we go?'). 'Because' answers 'why' questions.

'Why'询问原因：'Why are you late?' 'Why not'可以询问原因（'Why not go?'）或提建议（'Why don't we go?'）。'Because'用来回答'why'问题。

'Why' pregunta por razones: 'Why are you late?' 'Why not' puede preguntar por razones ('Why not go?') o hacer sugerencias ('Why don't we go?'). 'Because' responde a preguntas con 'why'.

「Why」は理由を尋ねます：「Why are you late?」「Why not」は理由を尋ねたり（「Why not go?」）、提案したり（「Why don't we go?」）できます。「Because」は「why」の質問に答えます。

'Why'는 이유를 묻습니다: 'Why are you late?' 'Why not'은 이유를 묻거나('Why not go?') 제안할 때('Why don't we go?') 사용됩니다. 'Because'는 'why' 질문에 대한 답입니다.

Ejemplos

Why did you do that?
你为什么那样做？
¿Por qué hiciste eso?
なぜそんなことをしたの？
왜 그랬어요?
Why not try again?
为什么不再试试？
¿Por qué no intentarlo de nuevo?
もう一度やってみたら？
다시 해 보는 게 어때요?
Why don't we have lunch?
我们去吃午饭怎么样？
¿Por qué no almorzamos?
ランチにしませんか？
점심 같이 먹을까요?
I'm leaving.' 'Why?
我要走了。''为什么？
Me voy.' '¿Por qué?
帰ります。''なぜ？
나 갈게요. '왜요?

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: spoken, written, everyday

Tono: inquisitive

✓ Correcto

Why is the sky blue?
天空为什么是蓝色的？
¿Por qué el cielo es azul?
なぜ空は青いのですか？
하늘은 왜 파란가요?
Why don't you sit down?
你何不坐下？
¿Por qué no te sientas?
座ったらどうですか？
앉으시지 그래요?
Why not ask for help?
为什么不寻求帮助？
¿Por qué no pedir ayuda?
助けを求めてみては？
도움을 요청해 보는 건 어때요?
Why are you late?
你为什么迟到了？
¿Por qué llegas tarde?
なぜ遅れたのですか？
왜 늦었어요?
Why?
为什么？
¿Por qué?
なぜですか？
왜요?

✗ Incorrecto

Why you are late? (invert: 'Why are you late?')
Why you are late?（倒装：'Why are you late?'）
Why you are late? (invertir: 'Why are you late?')
Why you are late?（倒置：「Why are you late?」）
Why you are late?（도치: 'Why are you late?'）
For why? (just use 'Why?')
For why?（直接用'Why?'）
For why? (simplemente se usa 'Why?')
For why?（「Why?」だけで良い）
For why?（그냥 'Why?'를 사용）

Origen e historia

Reason question words

Contexto cultural

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Más de este tema

Yes/No Questions ★★★★★ Questions that can be answered with 'yes' or 'no' Wh- Questions ★★★★★ Questions beginning with who, what, where, when, why, how Making Negatives ★★★★★ How to form negative sentences with 'not' Question Word Details ★★★★★ Specific uses of each question word Short Answers ★★★★★ How to answer yes/no questions naturally Negative Contractions ★★★★★ Shortened forms of negative auxiliaries